Dark and Darker
Microtransactions in Dark and Darker are summarized as...
The game is currently in early-access, and any monetization practices are subject to change. As such, the description below describes the game as it is now.
The game contains two currencies;
- Bluestone Shards; These are earned through regular play and can only be earned for free
- Redstone Shards; These are a premium currency and can only be acquired through real money purchases. These shards cost 2 USD per shard, and can be acquired in varying bundle sizes without increasing values as bundles sizes increase.
The game offers a wide variety of purchases, some are available to purchase with either currency, and some only with the premium currency. This includes cosmetic items, gameplay altering items, convenience items, and account altering items.
Cosmetic items largely consist of emotes. These vary from costing 2 to 4 shards (roughly 4 to 8 USD).
The game offers a variety of playable races, each with their own set of gameplay altering stats. Some can be purchased with the free currency, but most are only available with the premium currency, for 6 Redstone Shards (roughly 12 USD).
The game offers "seasonal packs" (for roughly 10 USD), these are packs you can purchase once per season and include many items can give you small advantages in-game; healing potions, coin bags, lockpicks, and more. They are limited in quantity and can be acquired in-game, but having them readily available does give the player an advantage over those who don't have them.
Additionally these packs include an additional shared stash slots, character slots, and marketplace listing slots. These are only available during the season you purchased the pack in, expiring when the season is over.
The main game is free-to-play, but the game offers a premium upgrade (for roughly 30 USD). This upgrade increase the amount of character you can create, allows you to sell items on the marketplace, unlocks a shared stash to trade items between your own characters, increases the amount of experience you earn, and grants you access to special content. This is a one-time purchase.
